How Much Does Car Maintenance Cost?

Average car maintenance costs about $1,475 annually or $123 monthly, varying by vehicle type and driving conditions. Costs include routine tasks and unexpected repairs. The right insurance coverage can help mitigate expenses.

By Nathan Paulus

Edited by Rae Osborn

Updated: September 29, 2025

Advertising & Editorial Disclosure

You'll spend about $1,475 per year or $123 per month keeping your car running, according to AAA's driving cost data. That works out to nearly 10 cents per mile over five years and 75,000 miles. Your actual costs depend on what you drive, the brand and how you drive.

Car maintenance falls into two buckets: routine stuff you can plan for and surprise repairs that hit your wallet hard. Oil changes, brake pads and tire rotations are predictable. A blown transmission or busted catalytic converter? Those can cost thousands and show up without warning. Keep an emergency fund for the unexpected and make sure you understand what your car insurance covers.

Car Maintenance Cost by Vehicle Type

Electric cars are cheapest to maintain at about $1,218 per year. Medium sedans cost the most at $1,628 annually. The table below shows maintenance costs across different vehicle types based on driving 15,000 miles per year.

Vehicle Category	Cost Per Mile	Monthly Maintenance Cost	Annual Maintenance Cost
Small Sedan	9.11 cents	$113.88	$1,366.50
Medium Sedan	10.85 cents	$135.62	$1,627.50
Subcompact SUV	9.51 cents	$118.88	$1,426.50
Compact SUV (FWD)	10.39 cents	$129.88	$1,558.50
Medium SUV (4WD)	10.57 cents	$132.12	$1,585.50
Midsize Pickup	10.35 cents	$129.38	$1,552.50
1/2 Ton/CrewCab Pickup	9.42 cents	$117.75	$1,413.00
Hybrid Vehicle	9.09 cents	$113.62	$1,363.50
Electric Vehicle	8.12 cents	$101.50	$1,218.00

10 Cheapest Car Brands to Maintain

Some car brands cost way more to maintain than others. Toyota and Honda are usually your cheapest bets for long-term upkeep. When you're shopping for a car, factor in the total cost of car ownership along with the price of a new car.

CarEdge tracked maintenance and repair costs for popular car brands over five years. Here are the 10 cheapest brands to maintain if you want to keep your repair bills low.

Rank	Brand	Five-Year Maintenance Cost
1	Toyota	$1,605
2	Mitsubishi	$2,019
3	Honda	$2,090
4	Volkswagen	$2,107
5	Nissan	$2,118
6	Mazda	$2,118
7	Kia	$2,167
8	MINI	$2,178
9	GMC	$2,238
10	Hyundai	$2,280

Types of Routine Car Maintenance Costs

Routine car maintenance runs from simple jobs like $10 windshield wipers to pricier tasks like $200+ tire replacements. Check your owner's manual for when to do each service so you can budget ahead and avoid bigger problems later.

Here's what you'll typically spend on common maintenance tasks:

Routine Maintenance Service	Frequency	Cost Range
Basic Inspection	Annually	Varies by service provider
Oil Changes	Every 5,000–7,500 miles for conventional oil; every 10,000–15,000 miles for synthetic oil	$35–75 for conventional oil; $65–125 for synthetic oil
Tire Rotation	Every 5,000–8,000 miles	$25–50
Brake Pad Replacement	Every 30,000–70,000 miles	$100–300 per axle
Cabin Air Filter Replacement	Every 15,000 miles	$20–100
Fuel Filter Replacement	Every 20,000–40,000 miles	$50–175
Engine Filter Replacement	Every 30,000–45,000 miles	$20–70
Windshield Wiper Blade Replacement	Every 6–12 months	$10–25
Battery Replacement	Every 3–5 years	$100–250

Unexpected Car Repair Costs

Even well-maintained cars break down. Unexpected repairs range from $50 for a flat tire to over $10,000 for a new engine. Keep an emergency fund for these surprises and check what your insurance and warranty cover.

Shop around for repair quotes and don't skip regular maintenance - catching small problems early prevents expensive disasters later.

Here are common surprise repairs and what they'll cost you:

Car Repair Type	Average Cost Range	Explanation
Dead Battery	$50–200	Common especially in cold weather or if the car sits unused for long periods
Flat Tire	$50–150 per tire	Often due to punctures or poor road conditions, necessitating immediate repair or replacement
Wheel Alignment	$75–200	Necessary for ensuring proper vehicle handling and tire wear
Tire Replacement	$100–200 per tire	Includes severe damage from road hazards requiring immediate replacement
Brake Pad Replacement	$100–300 per axle	Essential for safety; wear out with use and need replacement periodically
Alternator Replacement	$400–1,000	Crucial for vehicle’s electrical system; failure can cause battery drain and engine stoppage
Suspension Replacement	$500–2,200	Required for maintaining vehicle stability and smooth handling as components wear out or fail
New Timing Belt	$500–1,000	Critical for engine timing and function, typically replaced based on the manufacturer’s schedule
Catalytic Converter Replacement	$950–2,500	Necessary for meeting emissions standards; replacement costs vary by car model and labor
Transmission Repairs	$1,800–3,400	Can be extremely costly, often due to failure or significant wear, sometimes requiring full replacement
Engine Repairs	$200–4,000+	Costs vary widely from minor fixes to major overhauls or complete replacements
Engine Replacement	$3,000–10,000	Necessary if the engine fails completely; among the most expensive vehicle repairs
Body Damage	$500–4,000	Can result from accidents or collisions; repair costs depend on damage severity and location

Using Car Insurance for Maintenance and Repairs

Car insurance won't pay for oil changes or brake pads, but it'll cover repairs from accidents, theft and weather damage. Know what your policy covers so you're not stuck with surprise bills.

Comprehensive coverage pays for repairs from theft, vandalism and natural disasters, but it won't cover routine maintenance or normal wear and tear. Collision coverage handles accident damage, while extended warranties and mechanical breakdown insurance can protect you from expensive component failures.

Collision Coverage

Specifically designed to cover damages from accidents, collision coverage is crucial for repairs following a crash, regardless of who is at fault, helping to pay for the expenses of fixing your car.

Extended Warranties

Extended warranties extend the duration of the manufacturer's warranty and typically cover the repair or replacement of specific car parts after the original warranty expires. This can be a valuable investment for covering costly repairs on major vehicle components that are not typically covered by standard insurance policies.

Mechanical Breakdown Insurance (MBI)

MBI or car repair insurance functions similarly to a car warranty and is offered by some insurers. It covers the costs of certain repairs that are not related to accidents, such as electrical or mechanical failures, providing coverage beyond what standard warranties offer.

If your vehicle is not yet covered, shop for car insurance that provides the right coverage to ensure you are adequately protected. Learn more about car insurance with the following MoneyGeek resources:

Additional Resources for Car Owners

These websites and apps can help you save money on car maintenance and find reliable repair shops:

AAA (American Automobile Association): Get roadside assistance, maintenance advice and repair shop discounts if you're a member.
RepairPal: Find certified repair shops in your area and get cost estimates based on your car and location.
Kelley Blue Book: Beyond car pricing, KBB also estimates what maintenance and repairs should cost.
CarMD: This device plugs into your car and alerts you to potential problems before they become expensive repairs.
YourMechanic: Book certified mechanics to come to your home or office for maintenance and repairs.
CarCareKiosk: Watch free video tutorials for maintenance tasks specific to your car's make and model.

About Nathan Paulus

Nathan Paulus is the Head of Content Marketing at MoneyGeek, with nearly 10 years of experience researching and creating content related to personal finance and financial literacy.

Paulus has a bachelor's degree in English from the University of St. Thomas, Houston. He enjoys helping people from all walks of life build stronger financial foundations.

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sources

AAA. "Your Driving Costs: Brochure." Accessed February 4, 2025.
AAA. "Your Driving Costs: Factsheet." Accessed February 4, 2025.
CarEdge. "Ranking the Least Expensive Cars to Maintain After Five Years." Accessed February 4, 2025.